Join big cat crusader in race to save the cheetah

Big cat lovers have a rare opportunity to hear
Annie Beckhelling, founder of South Africa’s Cheetah
Outreach, speak at a special fundraising evening at Auckland
Zoo’s Old Elephant House on Friday, 18 July (5.30pm to
7.30pm).

The passionate crusader for cheetahs is in New
Zealand for the first time to highlight the plight of the
world’s fastest land mammal, which in South Africa now
numbers less than 1500 animals.

Ms Beckhelling says the
biggest threat to cheetahs, both in South Africa and Namibia
(where the largest population resides), is loss of habitat
to commercial farming, and subsequent conflict with farmers.

“Most livestock farmers trap, poison or shoot cheetahs
in an attempt to protect their stock. But this is not
necessary, as stock can be protected very successfully by
using Anatolian guard dogs. Partnerships, locally and
globally, are really the key to saving this species. I hope
that by learning more about the cheetah, New Zealanders will
be inspired to help make sure their grandchildren live in a
world where this magnificent big cat still runs free,”
says Ms Beckhelling.

The Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund
has been supporting Cheetah Outreach for the past three
years. The Cape Town-based trust, set up by Ms Beckhelling
in 1996, has taken on the roles of educator and fundraiser
for the Southern African cheetah. Its work encompasses
everything from school and community education to
coordinating the Anatolian Livestock Guard Dog Project. The
trust also works closely with De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife
Centre – a cheetah haven and breeding centre near
Johannesburg.

Auckland Zoo’s male cheetahs Anubis and
Osiris, now three years old, were born at De Wildt before
going on to Cheetah Outreach’s Stellenbosch property. They
were reared under its Ambassador Training Programme before
being relocated here in April 2006.

Tickets to Annie
Beckhelling’s Cheetah Outreach presentation are $10 per
person (plus $2 booking fee). The price includes a
complimentary glass of wine. Tickets can be purchased online
at www.aucklandzoo.co.nzor from the zoo’s information
centre – phone 09 360 3805. All profits from the evening
will go to the Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund, in support of
Cheetah
Outreach.

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